On March 27, 2024 the Gordie Howe International Bridge project team celebrated 2,000 days and over 12 million hours worked since the first shovel hit the ground on this legacy infrastructure project.
Construction started on October 5, 2018. Integrating sustainable features throughout the design and construction, the team has completed specific activities or advanced to the next stage of work across all four project components.
- Bridge tower construction is complete with towers now standing at their final height of 220 metres/722 feet.
- Only 10 of 56 segments remain to be installed on the bridge deck over the Detroit River.
- Only 20 of 216 stay cables remain to be installed.
- The falsework bents supporting the back span of the bridge are now removed.
- All 40 steel edge girders in the approach spans connecting the bridge to both Ports of Entry have been placed.
- At the Canadian and U.S. Ports of Entry, paving of lanes, parking lots and roadways is ongoing while painting and floor installation has started inside 10 of 12 buildings.
- The final girders that are being installed on the ramps vary in length from 148 metres/487 feet to 304 metres/997 feet and connect I-75 to the U.S. Port of Entry.
- One section of the three-km/1.9-mile Sandwich Street reconstruction project is completed with another section currently underway and a third to start this spring.
“The great progress across all components of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project is the direct result of the collaboration between our partners, contractors, craft workers and so many others who have come together to make this vision a reality. I applaud the trades for their tireless efforts and determination in building a once-in-a-generation landmark and their commitment to safety and quality,” said Charl van Niekerk, Chief Executive Officer, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is No. 12 on ReNew Canada’s 2024 Top100 Projects report.
Additionally, the artworks that previously adorned the tower jump form systems have been accepted by the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village, the City of Windsor in partnership with Museum Windsor and Art Windsor-Essex, the City of Detroit, Ironworkers Local 25 and Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Local 687.
“As we celebrate 2000 days of construction, I continue to take pride in the hard work and commitment to safety I see every day with the workers at BNA. As our progress becomes more visible, excitement is building amongst the public and shared by the BNA team as we move closer to construction completion,” said David Henderson, CEO, Bridging North America.
“Seeing this beautiful bridge take shape is a highlight of mine and my colleagues at the Michigan Department of Transportation. The bridge is a testament to binational collaboration and the unwavering commitment of the builders who have worked 2,000 days and endured many obstacles to make this project a reality,” said Bradley C. Wieferich, director, Michigan Department of Transportation.
Featured image: (WDBA)
